From NPR: Justice Department to Announce “Bump stocks” are Machine Guns Officially Friday

December 18, 2018

The Trump administration is banning bump stocks, the firearm attachment that allows a semi-automatic weapon to shoot almost as fast as a machine gun. -NPR Politics

Current bump stock owners will have the 90 days before the new rule takes effect to either destroy the devices they own or turn them in to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The new regulations, which were signed by acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker, will take effect 90 days after being published in the Federal Register. A Justice Department official said that would likely happen Friday.

The new regulations could face legal challenges from the National Rifle Association, bump stock owners or manufacturers. A Justice Department official said the department is confident in its analysis and is prepared to defend the new rule in court if needed.

IWI Academy Tavor Operator III, The Bullpup School Finale

Keith Finch

December 18, 2018

IWI Academy’s Tavor Operator III, an exceptional and chilly (not chilling) conclusion to this training saga.

This review dedicated to the memory of Tom Alibrando… He’s fine, I talked with him just a moment ago and confirmed my X95 SBR order, but this looked too much like a touching tribute photo stuck to the barricade to pass the opportunity. Photo Credit – Adam L.

Tavor III

Part 3 of the Tavor/X95 operator series is all on the gun. No more powerpoint. No more of the “why are you here… here is the outline”. We all knew why, having done it at least twice before, time to run out the X95 like it was born to run.

Plenty of snow and just above freezing to give us a nice soupy mess to play in.

Tavor I establishes what the Tavor/X95 is and sets you up with foundational fundamentals.

Tavor II is the honing of those fundamentals into competence. As the shooter you shouldn’t be mystified or searching for a control on your rifle anymore.

Tavor III brings it all in with individual tactics application, extreme conditional problem solving, and darkness/low light shooting.

Tom brought to me my holy grail X95 this time. The FDE X95 SBR

Magazines jammed with Double Tap 55gr, I would be sending a full case of 1,000 rounds of this down range through the cold and wet. No ammunition failures, clean and accurate, perfect for the course.

Day 1, Morning

A shotgun blast rehash of Tavor II with a reshoot of the qualifier. In total about 200-300 rounds warming up our bodies to working in the cold and wet, especially with gloves. The last time most of us were on these guns for this many rounds… it was warmer.

There’s nothing like the satisfaction of training paying off and seeing measurable improvements. My score on that fine sunny day was passable, adequate to advance to the next course, but on this cold wet Saturday I had improved to 4 points shy of a clean 300.

Training

Works

Folks

Get on the list.

Day 1, Afternoon

After lunch we hit the shoot house.

Individual room clearing tactics.

The full Tavor X95 program is a fighting gun program designed from an individual end user standpoint.

The whole curriculum is set up around the idea that when something goes bump in the night you grab your carbine and take care of defending you and your family as safely and efficiently as possible.

Squad tactics are really really cool! Believe me, I’ve run every position of a squad through dry and live drills. But you (and I) don’t need squad tactics here, we’re individuals in a defensive combat space. Honestly team tactics get pretty easy if you know your individual stuff anyway.

Room clearing is always a tactical gamble.

Room clearing by yourself is the most dangerous version of that gamble.

When you clear with a team or a squad you own the space you take and you have someone standing by with a weapon in case the bad guy(s) try and take it back. When you clear alone… it’s just you.

Moving on your own, every room you leave is surrendered territory unless there is no way to get around you. There will be a point where you cross into space where someone can move and get behind you. The further you move the more likely that is.

Do I have to move from where I am at?
Yes: Spouse/Kids are in the another room and I need to get to them, weapon is in another location, there are too many entrances to this room to cover safely.
No: Everyone is here, I have the door covered, police are on the way and I told them the room I am in.

Progressing beyond running the rifle and thinking about the whole fight.

Day 1, Night

Oh yes, room clearing in the dark.

The amount that visual sensory deprivation (you can’t see) makes you focus is astounding. Add to that tactile sensory deprivation (cold, gloves) and the amount you slow down and zero on what you can see, feel, and hear actually improved our shooting. We weren’t cocky anymore.

Shooting at night is something you need to train every now and then. You need to learn how to properly work a light, preferably from either shoulder and with either hand (the Tavor/X95 makes that pretty easy actually)

Knowing the limits of your equipment and what your asking it to do is just as important. Is the Streamlight TLR-7 I had on my X95 good for 50 meters? 100? 150?

A better question is what can your light do? Don’t have one? Fix that.

Day 2, Morning

It works in the daylight, it works in the dark. Does it work at odd angles?

Super Prone! An RHIB Prone keeps you as low as physically possible for when objects and micro terrain are sparse.

Working through several variations of awkward shooting position for different situations there are two key takeaways.

First, remember that gravity is a constant but your gun was designed to be fired from a vertical orientation and arc the bullet parabolically.

Second, these are ‘tool box’ positions for disadvantaged situations.

Low Cover. From this position the rifle is also shooting the round arcing left.

After working odd angles the final lessons were on one handed shooting and manipulations. Literally the worst of the worst case scenarios: being limited to one arm and clearing a double feed. Doable, just a pain… and it beats losing a gunfight.

Final Quiz Time

What’s on your training calendar for 2019?

Seriously, quality training is the best money you can spend in the gun industry. You’re never going to get to shoot more rounds, in a wider variety of ways, and with some people who are going to become the best to know.

All the analytics of why you should take a course aside, there’s a reason beneath the practical.

It’s the most fun I’ve ever had shooting. No contest, every dime and minute of time spent getting to these courses has been the greatest investment, beating every optic, rifle, or handgun I’ve ever purchased. Nothing surpasses running the guns like they were meant to run.

Get on the calendar.

Grab a case of rounds.

3i HOLSTERS

Keith Finch

December 13, 2018

From Scott Smith

Over the last twenty years I have used and seen many kydex holsters from many makers of holsters, they have changed since the days when you simply folded a piece of kydex to fit a pistol. Kydex holsters these days are as closely fitted to a pistol as hand boned leather is. You can find inside the waistband holsters, numerous types of outside the waistband holsters, single/double/quad magazine pouches; whatever you want, pretty much you can have. All you have to do is be able to foot the bill and it’s yours.

A few years ago I was shooting with a number of junior shooters and they all had kydex rigs molded from wild colors. I come to find out one of the kids dads made them. Scott Frank is the owner of 3i Holsters (www.3iholsters.com ) in Zanesville, Ohio and he makes unique holsters to fit his customers needs. We emailed back and forth to meet and have him make a couple holsters for me. It was agreed he would make a holster for my Canik TP9SFx and a Sig P320X5. My criteria for these holsters were they to be bright or camouflage pattern and both of them be outside the waistband. Other than that, Scott could have free reign on what he was making.

When I arrived at the 3i Holsters shop, I was impressed. Blue guns were in marked boxes on the wall so employees could see what was being built, there were numerous sample holsters in the front case, there were holsters in progress, color swatches allowing customers to see actual material and the staff was hard at work cranking out product. 3i is busy building stock holsters for several shops in the Zanesville area that stock their holsters and having product for popular pistols when they take the shop to local gun shows. Scott is busy building a business that is far more than a hobby. Several local officers use 3i holsters for duty and competition shooters are using their gear all over the country.

What truly impressed me was the attention to detail that is holster is given. The guys cut the kydex for each holster, vacuum fit it to each pistol or knife, and then excess material is removed. After this the edges are given a sanding and polish job that eliminates all sharp edges and any tool marks. This detail is given to every holster built by 3i. Scott told me he believes every holster; be it a stock holster or full custom build, should be given the same care. Every customer gets the best product the shop can turn out.

The first holster I have built was ready when I arrived. It was a custom adjustable height paddle holster for my Sig P320 X5. I was blown away with the holster. This straight drop holster is a three layer holster in black, blue and a subdued blue line flag for my service as a LEO. The black layer is the piece that has adjustable retention via two Chicago screws. The blue and flag layers are secured with the paddle screws. To keep range dust from collecting in the holster it is open bottomed. Even with a fully loaded pistol this holster rides close to the body and is as fast as any holster I have used. If I cranked the tension screws down, I do believe the 320 would have stayed put in a hurricane.

Scott finished the holster for the TP9SFx while I was there. He did this because the Canik was just starting to gain popularity and he did not want to invest in the inert pistol if the pistol was not going to have a following. This holster is an open bottom pancake style with formed belt loops. To meet the request of bright, the front is Kryptek Pontus with a royal blue back. I am generally not a fan of formed polymer loops because they are too hard to thread a belt through; however these are boxy enough that a belt slips right though. The slight angel locks the holster in place when you snug up your belt.

I figured I would put 3i’s custom work to the test on a Cold Steel knife I had been given a few years ago. The OEM sheath was not what I needed. Since Scott had told me he does custom knife sheaths I sent 3i the knife. My desire for this sheath was simple; a camouflage to compliment the handle and a clip that will stay secure when I carry the knife. The end result was a sheath the rides perfectly behind my handgun, if need be it will attach to my field pack.

After using these holsters off and on for well over eighteen months I feel they are outstanding pieces of kit. The attention to detail is amazing, the workmanship rivals that of much better known kydex holster makers and Scott’s passion to give customers the finest holsters around is unsurpassed. If you are looking for a holster for yourself or as a Christmas gift for someone else, get them a 3i Holster; you or the recipient will not be disappointed.

Remington 700 Magpul Enhanced

Andy Grossman

December 12, 2018

In 1962 Remington released the Model 700 BDL. This was the first rifle chambered in 7mm Rem Mag. 56 years later Remington is still producing the Model 700. Actually, they are making about 34 variations of this iconic rifle. Just about any rifle caliber you can imagine today has a 700. I wanted one but I wanted a modernized version of this iconic rifle. Remington had that too. The Remington 700 Magpul Enhanced model in the newest round for the rifle, 6.5 Creedmoor.

Magpul Hunter Stock

Remington’s Model 700 Magpul Enhanced features an incredible Magpul Hunter stock in a flat dark earth color. Equipped with M-LOK mounting points and a folding bipod. The Magpul Hunter stock uses a reinforced polymer body for stability and durability, without the unnecessary additional weight. Weighing just over 3.0 pounds, the Magpul Hunter stock is much more pleasurable to field. The Hunter stock is designed with an embedded anodized aluminum bedding block to ensure the action is securely in place and ready to perform. This type of bedding has proven to be one of the most effective designs in precision rifle performance. The Magpul stock can be customized to the user in just minutes with different provided cheek rests and stock extensions.

Enhanced Model 700

The Enhanced model boasts a 20” heavy threaded barrel with 5R rifling. The muzzle on the 20”, fluted barrel is threaded, making the rifle suppressor or muzzle-brake ready. The 700 Magpul Enhanced includes a 10-round Magpul detachable magazine. The rifle uses a butterfly style magazine release that is located on the front of the trigger guard. For me the mag release was a bit difficult to operate but with a little practice it was not horrible. Lastly, The Remington 700 action is everything one would expect out of a legendary rifle and the oversized bolt handle works great and feels great to throw. The X-mark Pro Externally adjustable trigger felt great right out of the box for me, no creep and a light break at only 3.5 lbs. Remington really pulled out all the stops on the this 700.

6.5 Creedmoor

My friends kept asking me why I would choose this rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor rather than 7mm or 308. Well, the superior trajectory, and outstanding terminal ballistics of the 6.5 Creedmoor, have really made me consider this to be the best overall rifle round on the market. The 6.5 Creedmoor round should really excite most center-fire rifle shooters. Target shooters get a round with high ballistics creating a very flat trajectory for extremely accurate shots. While hunters get a round with amazing energy levels over long ranges, and just a slightly reduced bullet diameter to provide acceptable expectations for humane kills.

Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20×50 Scope

A precision rifle of this caliber needs a great piece of glass to bring it all together. Atop the Magpul Hunter stock I decided to mount the Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20×50. It has the right magnification and elite optical performance I was looking for in order to get on target quickly and accurately. The Leupold VX-3i LRP features Diamond Coat 2, an ion-assist lens coating that gives the glass higher light transmission and the greatest level of abrasion resistance possible. It is waterproof and fog resistant, which is very important when out in the woods of Michigan where the weather changes every time you blink your eyes.

The VX-3i gives you a 3:1 zoom ratio and a side focus parallax adjustment for fast, easy parallax focusing from any shooting position. The range from 6.5x to 20x is a broad variable that allows the scope to cover a wide spectrum of capabilities. Crafted from 6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum and weighing only 21.7 oz.

Upon sighting the rifle in with the Leupold VX-3i I found it to take a little longer than normal to get it where it needed to be but once it was dialed in, I had complete confidence in the setup.

Testing and Performance

Accuracy was impressive. At 100 yards and firing from a rest, my best five-shot group was 0.95 inches with the Remington Premier ammunition. The Barnes Vor-TX ammunition produced several five-shot groups around 0.75 inches, while the Hornady American Whitetail averaged very respectable 1.1-inch clusters for five shots. The more I shot the more comfortable I became with the rifle. Any long-range shooter or hunter who chooses a quality piece of glass and puts in the range time should be able to nail 0.50-inch groups with this rifle with ease.

If you are in the market for a modern precision rifle built on an iconic time proven platform the Remington 700 Magpul Enhanced in 6.5 Creedmoor is a perfect choice. With an MSRP of $1249.00 it is definitely on the higher end of the price range for a Remington 700. However, you get one incredible rifle that feels like it came out of the custom shop built just for you. I found the same rifle online for as low as $935.00. With the proper scope setup, the Remington 700 Magpul Enhanced is ready to go win a long-range shooting competition then out to the woods to harvest a deer pretty much right out of the box.

Egypt Begins Yellow Vest Control

Dr LateBloomer

December 12, 2018

This crossed my newsfeed this morning.

Apparently Egypt seeks to keep protests from happening in their own country by keeping regular people from buying yellow vests. Ummm, because no protests will happen WITHOUT yellow vests? Because would-be protestors cannot ever get their hands on any yellow vests that already exist? Or find back channels to buy them?

Is the government of Egypt attempting to control human behavior by controlling access to a tool that is sometimes used by people who exhibit unwanted behavior?

Hmmm, does that sound familiar somehow??

When oh when will people realize that you cannot control human behavior by controlling an object? Especially when the object is used widely by people throughout the population for other legitimate pursuits.

I wonder if Egypt will now restrict internet shopping in order to keep people from buying yellow vests online. Will they require that trash collectors and highway workers register their yellow vests so that the government can keep track of them? I wonder if safety workers will now have to go through mandatory training and be licensed by the state to prove that they can wear their yellow vests responsibly? (And presumably not organize protests).

Will they eventually outlaw the color Hi-Viz Yellow completely? Because if protestors can’t get vests, maybe they can get jackets instead. Or hats. Or bandanas. The horror.

People in Egypt would never dream of protesting WITHOUT yellow vests, would they? And yellow vest protests are the ONLY kind of protests that ever happen, right?

When power is about control (and it almost always is), anything that is a threat to power MUST be controlled. Even a piece of clothing. Or a color. Unless the people have the means to limit that control.

If that isn’t an object lesson in the importance of the Second Amendment, I don’t know what is.

SOCOM’s New LPVO: Nightforce ATACR 1-8.

Keith Finch

December 12, 2018

The Nightforce ATACR 1-8x was the winner of the SOCOM solicited variable carbine optic solicitation. The LPVO category continues to gain ground in a few key categories, weight, clarity, durability, and affordability.

Now… I know the price tag isn’t low. Affordable is a relative term. But now that I am using glass in this category.. There is no comparison, there is no “just as good”

We can talk about good and we can talk about better. My ACOG is a great optic, no plans to change it. This type of system is starting to plant itself firmly in a new operational category.

Sport Optics has a few by the way.

On the ATF…

Keith Finch

December 11, 2018

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (BATF&E or ATF) released a notice from the Firearms Technology Industry Services Branch (“FTISB”) stating they would no longer be taking submissions on devices without a firearm attached.

Meaning?

Meaning that if a developer puts together a product that they say is a “firearm stabilizing brace” and not a buttstock, to get the ATF to give a ruling on the new product they must ship it attached to a gun like it is intended to be used.

There are some obvious causes here, bumpstocks and pistol braces.

The Galil ACE 5.56 with SB Tactical SOB Brace on the IWI folding mechanism. GAP556SB

On the surface the rule makes sense. It delivers a working and installed version of the submitted product to the ATF for the evaluation. Also the ATF doesn’t have to rely on their store of firearms and their non manufacturer knowledge to install the item.

What this introduces is the far greater hassle of shipping a firearm to the ATF. It puts a much more stringent burden on someone trying to introduce a product. Shipping $1,000 dollars worth of property to the ATF instead of $50-100 changes the risk involved, to a small business especially.

And that’s before the nebulous implication that now the items submitted on a firearm could sway the ruling on an emotional basis based on the function instead of on the actual function.

We don’t know if the ATF would change a single ruling they have made… but the unspoken implication sits heavy that, going forward, items like pistol braces will have a much greater hurtle to approval.

Clap back? Probably.

Jase Winner: Take Your Buddy Shooting!

Keith Finch

December 11, 2018

From Jase Winner

A couple of weeks ago I brought my friend Anthony out to a local USPSA/Steel Challenge Match to introduce him to the shooting sports. The day was all about showing him what the shooting sports was and how he can be involved. It was a really good match, especially as a first match to bring a new shooter to. It’s a solid group of people who make up a good culture for him to be introduced in. There was also a fun shoot after the match that he enjoyed. (I mean who doesn’t like a Burn Down race to see who can shoot a 2×4 in half the fastest…. And then everyone just mag dumping to make splintered wood?) All things considered I’d say it was a pretty good day of shooting.

Let me preface this by saying the dude I brought out is my best friend, so it was pretty easy to get him there. Like me, he grew up around guns, the difference is I just focused in on them and made shooting a huge part of my life, and he went down a different path.

So over the last year or so I’ve been trying to get Anthony out to the range with me but scheduling between him and I hasn’t exactly been easy. So when we finally had the ability, I was ecstatic. Once we got there he was a nice guy and helped with Stage set up, which was completely unnecessary but helped give him an idea of what was to come. Once that was done and I was getting my belt on and mags loaded we went over some ground rules: keep your eyes and ears on, follow the basic firearms safety rules, don’t do dumb things, pay attention, and most importantly to have fun (I know that rule is cliche but whatever).

Till almost halfway through the day he didn’t even touch a gun. He just talked, asked questions and watched people gunning through the stages, which was impressive because that is a lot of self control if you ask me. Then while I was on the stage next door my dad took the bay we were just on and let Anthony shoot his Glock 19 (Roland Special) a bit, which was good because I felt his attention wandering off and his interest dwindling. I walked up after Anthony had just shot through the first magazine and was listening to he and my dad talk. You could hear the excitement in his voice. I tossed Anthony a fresh magazine and said “Bro, I wanna see… Fire it up!” Dad gave Anthony the commands and he let it rip… He did a damned fine job of letting freedom ring on all that steel.

When the competition was a wrap and the Burn Down Race was over we began tearing stages down but kept one bay up for a bit for a fun shoot. It was also a bay where folks could shoot each others guns, test out the hotness, etc. One of our friends called us over. On the table he had a PCC (pistol caliber carbine) and a 1911. I still had my Victory First/ Overwatch Precision Glock 17 on my hip and dad had his Roland Special.. I’m not going to describe every detail of the fun he had shooting everything, but I will say that it was awesome to see his eyes light up and a permanent smile set in as he continuously hit steel… ringing Liberty’s sweet Bell.

At the end of the day I’m just happy that he had a good time and that I could introduce someone new into the wonderful world of the shooting sports.

So what did Anthony think?

So when I asked my buddy what he thought of the day his initial response was “it was awesome!!” Seeing as this isn’t really an answer I asked him to elaborate. After reading the, honestly quite lengthy, paragraph that he sent me I think the biggest thing he took away from the weekend is that anyone can be involved in the shooting sports. He said he enjoyed the type of people that were on the range and how respectful and considerate they were towards each other, as well as the good sense of humor we carried.

He wrote “It was welcoming to young competitors, such as Jase, even though he’d been doing it for quite some time. I liked how even though he’s 15 everyone treated him with the same respect as the older shooters as an equal. There was no intentional talk down, and I admire that so much because competitive shooting is NOT something for any ‘kid’ to just show up and do. It does require training and knowing the ‘how to(s)’ but if you know how to shoot, you know how to be safe and the rules of proper gun handling and you carry yourself in an honorable manner, then it doesn’t matter your age”.

The Value of it all

Truthfully my trip to the range with Anthony was all about showing him a side of my life that takes up so much of my time. He’d seen my videos, heard my stories and had an idea of what I did, but now he not only got to see it first hand but also experience it for himself… behind the trigger. He’s an athlete by nature, so I am excited to get him on the range when local 3Gun starts up again in Spring. I think when he sees and feels Multigun for the first time the hooks will be sunk deep. When that day comes, I’ll let my Dad give his parents the sales pitch! Lol

I did my part, I brought a new guy to the range, a new guy to a match and I got him interested. The more folks who are interested in Shooting Sports, not just target shooting or hunting, the better… Because at the end of the day we need more interest and more people that understand our passions as we move forward in our efforts to ensure our Liberties as gun owners remain free. I did my part, now will you do the same?

The Budget Gift Guide for Gun Guys

Travis Pike

December 11, 2018

Do you have a gun guy or gal in your life that you are struggling to buy for? Sure, they’d love a Barrett 50 cal, but several thousand dollars simply isn’t in the budget. In fact, the budget might be tight. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Our budget gift guide is here to help you find the right gift at the right price. These prices are reflective of the current market and include sales so they may change if you are reading this summer 2019.

It’s easy to be generic and say buy magazines and buy ammo. Those are great gifts, don’t get me wrong, but I wanted to be a little more creative. If this guide doesn’t work for you, then ammo is always a good go to.

$20 and under

Okay, so maybe you are on a tight budget, that’s cool. This is what our Budget Gift Guide is for. From self-imposed budgets to being a kick-ass secret Santa we have a little bit of everything for you. Under 20 bucks can get you a few cool things that’ll please the gun, knife, or concealed carrier in your life.

5.11 EDC PL 1AAA

I actually carry the bigger brother of the 1AAA, the 2AAA, and adore it as an EDC light. This all aluminum design is a lightweight 1.31 ounces and is only 3.45 inches long. Its only 55 lumens, but its also a penlight so you aren’t getting a 1000 lumens. You do get a nearly 4-hour runtime though, and it’s in a light that fits in your shirt pocket. It’s tough to complain about. It’s all aluminum, looks great, and is textured for a sure and easy grip. Plus, it’s IPX4 waterproof so it can be splashed and rain on and still keep kicking. It’s 19.99, easy to find on Amazon, and its a great fit for a wide variety of people.

Recover Tactical Magazine Clips

Recover Tactical is best known for their neat little bolt on grips that add a rail to your Beretta 92, or 1911 pistol. They make an interesting series of accessories too, and one of them is the awesomely named Magazine Clips. This gift is limited to owners of Glock and some Smith and Wesson pistols, but for under 10 bucks it’s pretty handy.

Magazine Clips are designed to allow you to carry a magazine in your pocket and clip it to the outside of the pocket the same way you would a knife. This makes them easy to draw, easy to carry, and foolproof. The clip systems work really well and I’ve done more in-depth reviews if you’re interested. At this price point, it really is hard to beat if you have a Glock or Smith and Wesson Shield owner in your life. They really put the Budget in Budget Gift Guide.

MTM Tactical Magazine Can

When it comes to organizing magazines I used to have a major issue with losing them. Losing a Glock mag is meh, but losing a near 50 dollar HK magazine is “Ah crap, where’d it go,” bad. One year I received both the MTM Tactical Rifle and Pistol magazine cans and my life was changed forever.

The pistol magazine ammo can is right around 15 bucks so it qualifies for under 20, the AR 15 rifle magazine can is a hair more and on Amazon for about $21.50. These are polymer ammo cans that have hard cut foam in the shape of a magazine. They hold the magazines in place and organize them in a brilliant manner. They are easy to stack and perfect for organizing a messy gun closet. I wanted my Budget Gift Guide to be practical and fun, and these are pretty practical.

$50 and Under

At the 50 and under price range we are getting into friends and range buddies. You still have plenty of options and really start getting into the awesome stuff of this industry.

Gerber Flatiron

This is actually on my Christmas list and something I want so, so bad. It’s an affordable knife in the 35 dollar range that is budget in terms of knife, but the cool factor is more or less why I want it. The Flatiron uses a cleaver blade, which gives it the appearance of an old school straight razor. It’s a simple knife that’s been a big hit recently and I’ve caught the bug.

Most gun guys are knife guys and vice versa. The Gerber Flatiron in undeniably cool. It comes in black with an aluminum handle or FDE with a G10 handle. The blade is 3.8 inches long and the steel is a 7Cr17MoV stainless. I would’ve preferred a 154CM, but the price would have to be higher too. Overall it looks to be a rock solid little knife and its only 35 bucks. I might not wait til Christmas and fulfill my own budget gift guide.

Walker’s Razors

The Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic hearing protection earmuffs are easily the best set of budget electronic muffs. I have had and used mine for years and only recently have I moved on to Bluetooth Peltors. In those years of use, they’ve been in the rain, the cold, and across the country to different shows.

They operate off of 2 AAAs and have dual microphones to make it easy to hear someone on your left or right-hand side. They are perfect for busy ranges, classes, and other loud and kinetic environments where communication is still key. Best of all they are under 50 bucks and these are perfect for new shooters. What kind of Budget Gift Guide would this be if I wasn’t concerned about new shooters?

Blackhawk Sportster Deluxe Range Bag

A lot of people may roll their eyes when I say Blackhawk, but hear me out. The Blackhawk Sportster deluxe range bag has been with me for almost 5 years and its one of the best pieces of gear I’ve ever used. It’s spacious, full of pockets and perfect for handgun, rifle, and shotgun shooters. You can absolutely load this thing down with ammo, tools, guns, targets and more and it will just keep working.

If someone in your life is into guns and doesn’t have a range bag do them a favor and get them one. They will appreciate it more than you know once they start hitting the range.

$100 and Under

Close friends and good family gets the good stuff. At this tier, you are bound to bring smiles to the faces of the most Humbug of gun guys. As the highest tier of our budget gift guide I chose some things on my personal list.

AR500 Freeman Carrier

This one is a little complicated because it’s a pre-order for a product that is being released in January. If you pre-order the Freeman Carrier will be under a hundred bucks due to the preorder discount. However, you get both a carrier and armor plates for under 100 dollars. That’s insane and an excellent deal.

It’s a helluva bargain and while that person has to wait till January for their carrier and armor its a gift worth waiting for. The Freeman Carrier is a minimalist package that’s has a MOLLE laser cut system, room for two plates, and a minimalist design. I personally wouldn’t mind waiting for a gift this sweet.

LaserLyte Training Device

I used to hate dry fire, like with a passion, and part of me still does. However, it got a lot better when I snagged one of these Laserlyte laser trainers. These bullet shaped devices fit in the chamber of your gun and fire a laser everytime the firing pin strikes them. Pair with a laser target and it creates a fun game. By themselves, these gadgets give you real-time feedback on where your rounds are hitting.

These really make dry fire a fun experience and they can be a lot of fun when paired with a reactive target. These LaserLyte training devices come in every popular caliber they can squeeze one into, so expect 380 and up. They even have AR and Shotgun variants out there, and the 223 version reportedly works with 300 Blackout barrels. If you want more training this is the items on our Budget Gift guide to give it.

Primary Arms Micro Dot

The Primary Arms brand of Red dots aren’t Aimpoints and I get that, but if you need a red dot on a budget I don’t think there is a better choice. These simple optics are pretty tough, hold zero, and last up to 50k hours. That’s impressive for an optic priced a penny under a 100 bucks. This is the FDE model for extra high-speedness. These optics are durable and acceptable in my opinion for hunting, competition, plinking, and other less serious tasks. They won’t let you down and they are really hard to beat price wise.

The Budget Gift Guide Extravaganza

So here are just a few of my favorite gifts and their price tiers. Gun guys and Gals can be tough to shop for on occasion, especially when budgets are involved. However, if you do a little shopping you’ll find the right gift at the right price….. Speaking of, I wear a size Benelli M3 12 gauge if you want to get me something.

LOWA BOOTS

Keith Finch

December 10, 2018

From Scott Smith

Back in the dark ages of time Uncle Sam issued us “cruit boots” in basic training.
Essentially these boots did little more than protect your feet. They were not waterproof,
there was no padding and they were as flexible as a brick. Other than those you have
limited options for footwear; jungle boots or jump boots were about the only other
choices you had.

In the mid eighties, Danner’s Ft. Lewis Boot became an authorized option. They
were a vast improvement over “cruit boots”. Many troops forked over the two hundred
or so bucks for them because they were Gore-Tex lined, fit well, had an EVA midsole
which absorbed shock, there was a removable arch support and the aggressive outsole
gave good traction.

When I left the Army I continued wearing Danner boots to shoot in and work.
While Danners were great for uniform wear they were heavy for action shooting. Like
other competitors I tried Astroturf football shoes but found they were not waterproof and
they offered no support. So it was back to the tried and true Danners.

Early in this century I came across Lowa Boots at the SHOT Show. The first pair I tried was the Renegade. This was a vast improvement over my Danners for competition. They were almost a pound lighter while being more flexible while being Gore-Tex lined and offering good traction in all conditions thanks to the EVO outsole. These boots became my go to boot until Lowa introduced the Zephyr.

Lowa’s Zephyr was an ideal boot for uniform and competition use. This boot was
lighter than the Renegade because it was not all leather. The fabric also made the
Zephyr cooler in hot weather. It could be had with or without Gore-Tex which made it
ideal for hot weather wear. The Vibram Cross ll outsole gave excellent traction in
virtually all conditions and wore like iron. After ten years I had to retire my original pair
because the sole was about shot.

What makes the Zephyr such a perfect all round boot is the double injected
polyurethane midsole and Lowa’s patented MonoWrap Stability Frame (MSF). The
polyurethane midsole will not collapse like EVA midsoles (EVA looks like a compressed
sponge). Even after ten years they still were comfortable for all day wear at a three gun
or USPSA match.

The MonoWrap Stability Frame is visible on Lowa’s boots that have it. This frame
is actually fused to the midsole, wrapping your foot to provide you a stable base without
having to use a board last. Without the board last the boot feels like a running shoe but
is far more supportive and responsive to changing terrain. It is comfortable of concrete
or rocky muddy shooting lanes or trails. With the way the Zephyr wears and performs it
is worth every penny of the $210 MSRP.

In 2016 Lowa introduced the Innox (pictured above) family of boots. These boots truly feel like a running shoe on steroids. To quote Outside Bozeman Magazine; “At only a pound a
piece, these boots feel like Ninja slippers; light, fast and nimble. You’ll feel like an
acrobat” I figure coming from a magazine covering the heart of the Rocky Mountains
and gear for the outdoors, this is high praise.

Like the Zephyr, the Innox has a double injected polyurethane midsole. It is more
flexible because of the NXT outsole and lighter MSF. You can see the wrap is not as
heavy and you foot does not set as low in the wrap. The Zephyr does not sacrifice support because the shoe laces attach directly to each leg of the MonoWrap so when
you tighten the laces you snug up the MSF. Innox’s do not sacrifice shock absorption
either thanks to Dyna PU shock absorbing zones.

Over the last few years we found the NXT outsole gives good traction in all but
the worst of conditions. We found it was not that good in the oozing red clay mud of the
south during the monsoons of 2016. Then again, not many shoes give traction in that
extreme of conditions. That said the Innox gives above average traction and thanks to
the optional Gore-Tex lining your feet stay dry.

Overall the Innox family of boots is perfect for action shooting. They are lightweight; they give excellent traction and wear well. Like the Zephyr, Innox’s will set you back $210 a pair.

Lowa’s newest all terrain sport boot is the Aerox. At first glance it looks like its
sibling Innox, but it is more technically advanced. You will notice the Aerox still has the
Monowrap Support Frame and a double injected polyurethane midsole. These are
pretty much trademarks of Lowa’s lightweight boots.

What sets the Aerox apart from other All Terrain Sports boots is Lowa’s Surround
System. This system allows perspiration from your feet to migrate to the bottom of the
boot’s Gore-Tex lining. Then in conjunction with an open-celled spacer this moisture
evaporates through holes in the mid-sole. This system does not compromise the boot’s
waterproof properties. It does make a Gore-Tex lined boot comfortable in warmer
conditions and it reduces weight, making the Aerox one of the lightest speed hiking
boots on the market.

Another advance in this boot is the Surround Trac sole. Surround Trac is a
hexagonal pattern tread on the body of the sole with chevrons on the outer edges. This
pattern is more aggressive than others in the All Terrain Sport family. Wearing the
Aerox while shooting the annual rain fest known as The Rockcastle Pro AM, I can say
this boot rivals the Zephyr for grip. Surround Trac grips on wet grass, slimy algae
covered dirt, wet river pebbles and wet clay. For action shooters, this is a dream come
true. All of this technology and performance does not come cheap, the Aerox will set
you back $240 a pair.

I know several folks who wear Lowa Boots professionally in the harsh conditions
of Afghanistan and they swear by them. We are seeing more Veterans joining the
ranges of competitive shooters and they are continuing to wearing various Lowa boots
on the range and in the field. They are learning the cool kid’s shoes do not give support
and cushioning our aging feet, legs and backs need. A friend of mine who teaches
movement for USPSA shooters recently received a pair of Aeroxes and says they help
her injured ankle and legs. She had a pair of those bright colored cool kids’ shoes and
said they were killing her. Like her other shooters are learning those bright colored
shoes look cool but they are not comfortable and their soles do not wear well.

Lowa invests loads of money to develop shoes and boots to meet the needs of
hardcore mountain climbers, uniformed professionals, casual hikers,
outdoorsman/women and now shooters. Lowa boots are lightweight, their Gore-Tex
boots are waterproof, the uppers durable, the fit is comfortable, sizes are specifically
designed for men/women/kids and Lowa designs soles that are wear perform well in all
conditions. Unlike those bright colored shoes, Lowa offers most of their popular boots in
men’s or women’s size as well as ankle high or low cut version with Gore-Tex linings.

You cannot go wrong with Lowa Boots if you are looking for a gift for yourself or
someone else. In my humble opinion Lowa Boots are one of, if not the finest boots on
the market.

The Last Day of Rifle Season

Dr LateBloomer

December 10, 2018

I almost wasn’t going to go.

I had already spent over 300 dollars for a hotel room for the first few days of deer rifle season, during which the weather frankly sucked. The first day was rain and wind. The second day was snow and wind. I saw nothing. The third day dawned to four inches of snow on the ground and single digit wind chills. I drove home a bit disappointed, but satisfied that I had at least had some alone time in the woods during my Thanksgiving vacation. I even tried again that first Saturday, but fog and the promise of more cold rain turned me back home before I ever got there.

I worked all the next week, while the local guys to whom I had given permission, reported that they had taken an eight-point and various does for their freezers. At least they had been successful. I was just discouraged.

So when the prospect of the last Saturday of the season loomed, I wasn’t terribly enthusiastic. It got worse when I realized that I was on-call that weekend for parent questions. The combination of hunting and on-call rarely works out well for me. But one of the local guys texted and asked if I was coming up. The weather forecast was good, and he assured me that the deer should be moving as hunters would be out for the last day.

I didn’t want to pay for another hotel night, so I decided it would be another one of my “no pressure” trips. I’d have my gear packed by the door, see how the calls went overnight, and make a decision in the morning.

I woke up before six without an alarm and got on the road by seven. It was already starting to get light, but it was a “no pressure” day, so I was just going to do what I could do. I arrived in good time, switched boots, shouldered my pack, loaded my Marlin 336, and was walking into the woods before ten.

My 19th century technology “assault weapon” with redneck cheek riser, drying out after the hunt.

There was some fresh snow, and lots of different tracks. I enjoy noting those tangible marks of the passage of creatures I cannot see. That, along with the game camera, remind that that there is life happening all around me in that forest, whether I am there to see it or not.

I decided that I would change things up and just slowly wander and “stalk hunt” or “pussy foot” as my father used to call it. That turned out to be a good choice, as later in the day I found out that the zipper on my blind had frozen closed, and would not have opened for love or money anyway.

I was barely out an hour when I got a “call”. I answered the worried parent’s questions as quietly as I could, but having to have a phone conversation when I was trying to be stealthy was rather counter-productive. But – I was doing what I could do.

I had stopped on a rise that overlooked a good bit of snow-covered ground. It would have been a great spot to pull out my three-legged stool and have a rest and a scan, but I had just given away my location with that call. I decided to move on.

A nice overview I’ll have to remember for next year.

About 30 minutes later I was “pussyfooting” down the dirt gas access road, when I heard the creature break cover to my left. It must’ve been bedded down under one of the pine trees. I froze and listened. It wasn’t a squirrel because the snow crunching was too loud. The noise stopped for a couple seconds and then resumed. The crunching and brush snapping proceeded in front of me to my left, angling as if it might cross the road.

I brought my hammer to full cock (It’s a lever gun and the trigger won’t pull on half-cock, so I use that as an additional safety feature), while I continued to scan with the safety on, waiting for visual confirmation. Finally I saw its brown back on one of the bounds through the brush. Definitely a deer.

I started to shoulder the gun, popping the safety button, and then indexing my trigger finger along the receiver, preparing. Last minute checks were streaming through my mind – I’ve got the buck tag, I’ve got the doe tag, the background is clear of the gas well, I can shoot almost as soon as it steps out…

The deer popped up onto the dirt road not 40 yards in front of me and paused briefly – broadside and looking around. In that second or so my brain registered “ANTLERS!”, and then “four point – sh*t”. I started to relax my mount, popping the safety back on, when the buck saw me and bounded across the road and up the hill on the other side. He paused halfway up, turning to get another look at me. If he were legal, I’d have had a second shot opportunity. Then away he went up toward the ridge top.

I blew out my breath and let the adrenaline drain away. Tears of reaction started coming to my eyes, even though I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Moments like that are why I hunt. My blood was pumping, my brain was racing, and all the while my soul was saying “Thank You” to God, the Universe, my ancestors whose property this was, and life in general for that exciting intersection with nature. It’s not all about “the kill”. It’s about the one-on-one mutual encounter. Yes, I would have loved some meat for my freezer, but that was FUN!

It also illustrates what my luck is like. This was the last day of rifle season. It was a day when both bucks and does were legal (as long as you had the right tags). I had the right day and the right tags to be able to shoot either antlered OR antlerless deer. But what appeared in front of me? A deer which was neither fish nor fowl.

A legal antlered deer in this state must have three points on one side. This was a “Y-buck”, and thus it fell into the “Neither” category. ARGH. Mother Nature had her laugh at me yet again. It just reminds me that try as I might, I’m not really the one in charge here. I am a bit of a control freak and thus the “uncertainty” of hunting tweaks me like that all the time. But it’s also teaching me very useful lessons. Live in the moments you are given. Be thankful for opportunities – even if they don’t turn out the way you want. Real life doesn’t work like the hunting videos you see on Youtube.

I had seen this particular Y-buck on camera, so I recognized the rack as soon as I saw it, and knew I couldn’t shoot. That’s another notch in the “good” category for having a camera and scouting ahead of time. So even that was a learning experience. It made the five hour round trip drive, the carrying the nine pound rifle and thirteen pound pack, and the six hours of walking with that load worth the work.

That little Y-guy was the only deer I saw the entire rest of the day. But he gave me my thrill, and my story to tell, and for me that’s really all that matters. It was a great way to end the season. I’m so glad that I decided to go. Now, where’s the Naproxen?

XD Gear Up! Last Month for Free Mags and Range Bag.

Keith Finch

December 6, 2018

Springfield Armory is winding down their gear perk at the end of the month.

Buyers still have time to cash in on the extra gear. Perfect for anyone in the market for an XD product or looking to give a Springfield as a gift this holiday season.

Making the dollars go a little further.

Texas: Teen Shoots Herself With An AK47… in the Foot… While Trying to Stuff Said AK-47 Down Her Pants

Keith Finch

December 6, 2018

A Texas teen shot herself in the foot with an allegedly stolen AK-47 that she had stuffed down her pants, according to police.

There’s a phrase somewhere about stupid games that some to mind.

Police responded to the scene of the shooting in Harris County on Tuesday at around 4:15 p.m. They found three teens: two 17-year-old females and a 16-year-old male.

Preliminary reports and witness statements indicated that the male had taken the AK-47 from his home and that the teens were handling the gun when one of the females accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting herself in the leg, according to Constable Mark Herman of Harris County Precinct 4.

The 16 year old male then tossed the AK Pistol down a storm drain and when police arrived claimed it was a drive by shooting. Neighbors in the area who witnessed the act showed police the where the gun had been dumped.

Further investigation determined that the gun had been stolen, Herman told ABC News.

The 7.62×39 round apparently struck the girl in the heel and did a fair amount of damage. She was transported to intensive care and both she and the 16 year old male are facing burglary charges for the firearm. The third person, another 17 year old girl, is being investigated also.

Lessons to take away.

Don’t steal a gun.
Don’t play with the stolen gun in the street.
Don’t squeeze the trigger of the gun you shouldn’t have stolen in the street you shouldn’t be playing in while pointing it at yourself or shoving it in your pants.
Don’t toss the gun you shouldn’t have stolen into a storm drain on the street you shouldn’t have been playing in after your friend blasted a round into her foot and then tell the cops it was a drive-by.

Hunters for the Hungry

Dr LateBloomer

December 6, 2018

I know that many of us who hunt deer do it for the meat, not the glory or the rack (and some – like me – are still trying for our first kill). Many of us look forward to being able to cook and consume our own venison.

But what if you have filled your tags and so has everyone else in your family? What if you are on a cull hunt and can’t possibly eat all that venison?

What if you’d really like to donate to a local food pantry this holiday season but can’t spare the cash? Can you spare a deer instead? Can you spare some volunteer hours? Have you considered a donation to a Hunters for the Hungry program in your state?

Hunters for the Hungry is a program which was started by the NRA in 1991, with affiliates in each state. Each state program name may be slightly different, but the mission is the same – hunters donating deer kills to food programs via participating licensed butchers.

The meat is processed into burger which is then distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, missions, and homeless shelters within the state. This provides a lean and healthy source of protein to people who may not know where their next meal is coming from, while also helping to control local deer populations. It’s a win-win. It is also a publicly visible way to demonstrate that hunting benefits the wider community.

Cash donations are accepted to help defray the costs of butchering, processing, and distribution. Some states even offer the option of a monetary donation during the online license purchasing process.

According to the NRA site, more than 8.1 million meals are provided annually by these programs. The top five states for venison donation include: Virginia, Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

In many states rifle season may be over, but deer archery season often doesn’t end until January. So you’ve still got time to donate if you already have a full freezer but empty tags yet to fill.

More information about your state’s program and which butchers participate can be found via the NRA HFTH Clearinghouse site

I Just Want My M16…

Keith Finch

December 5, 2018

There was a hot term in the firearms industry for a few years, “Modern Musket”. Hell we even made an apparel line out of it.

It has slunk into the background now for a variety of reasons. Trends fade, people wear out a term and it slowly loses its potency, people misconstrue or take it too seriously.

But what did this industry moniker actually mean?

Modern Musket

Noun

An evocative term used to equate modern civilian semi-automatic rifles with the civilian held muskets of the pioneer, frontier, and revolutionary time periods. The ability for a citizen to bring their personal force of arms was critical to survival.
A semi-automatic magazine fed rifle, usually a variant of a select fire rifle, suitable for use in personal and community defense.
A term illustrative of the fact that throughout all of our nation’s history individual arms for civilians and the armed forces have been of parallel power and design.

The “Modern Musket” title embodies the general purpose nature of this tool. It is our universal personal armament. Selected to cover as many requirements as it can in one rifle.

The M16A4 is my idyllic example of such a tool. FN’s true to form Military Collectors Series M16A4 is the perfect off the rack example.

Reliable.

Accurate.

Proven Track Record.

The Marines delayed swapping to the M4 in large part because the M16 had a better reliability rate every time they tested it against the smaller carbine. The M4 could never best its older brother’s stoppage rate (M16’s jam less) and the M27 wasn’t in circulation in large enough numbers the way it is today.

It was my service rifle for the majority of my enlistment and the several I carried never failed to do what I asked, hit the target and then do it again. The FN is every inch of that service rifle, except the safety and rear sight are improved.

“But Keith!”, you exclaim in dismay, “There are so many better platforms! Why do you cling like a salty barnacle to the old ‘obsolete’ war horse?”

Simple.

20 Inches of Optimized Barrel

The 5.56x45mm rounds the military and commercial markets have are designed for the M16 and have been pigeonholed into serving in shorter and shorter platforms. I have two guns with under a 9″ barrel, both in 5.56, they’re exceptional firearms in their own right.

But…

When I put whatever round I am shooting through the ACE or M6 into my M16 it will simply perform better. I will have a much greater window for effective terminal ballistics. The M16A4 doesn’t compromise on speed. Whether I’m fighting, hunting, or shooting for sport the rifle delivers me every advantage velocity can give me.

The trade off?

The M16 is 40 inches long (yes, the catalog says 39.5″, buzz off) and the length isn’t the easiest to use in small spaces. But it is usable. I learned room clearing on this gun with iron sights and an ACOG. Anyone who says you can’t CQB with this rig is full of it. Anyone who says it sucks is right… but newsflash, room clearing always sucks and is high risk, running a space age SBR won’t change that glaring facet.

Is it easier with a shorter gun? Sure. But if I’m keeping security from a rooftop…

…or lining up a shot on an animal to snag dinner the extra velocity is going to give me more dividends than the extra convenience moving through a limited space. Slicing the pie on a doorway is doable with both guns but only one is giving me the greater window with my terminal ballistics. When I’m trying to cover as many things and as much space with this rifle as possible, those ballistics matter.

The Accessory Game

To TL:DR this whole section. Everything is made for the M16A4. PMags, M16A4. EOTech, Aimpoint, ACOGs, M16A4. Grips, sights, lights, lasers, you guessed it, M16A4.

The last 15 years have been a tsunami of optional product improvements for this rifle.

It only needs the two basics out of the box though. Light and sight. If you can’t cash in for a sight yet get the light first. The 600m flip up rear sight that’s current production is very good at what it does so an optic can be forgone if need be.

The KAC M5 RAS is still a good system with plenty of space to place your gear to your liking. It even comes with a classic ‘broom handle’ vertical grip. Out of the box ready to rock after your light and sight of choice, everything else is optional.

“But it isn’t freefloat!?”

So? Chances are you aren’t accurate enough for that to matter.

“You asshole, how do you know!?”

Because I’m not accurate enough for it to matter and I routinely cleaned the 500 meter line with this rifle. Practically speaking the M16A4 is a superb platform and you get rapidly diminishing to no discernible returns swapping parts. Part swapping benefit there is largely aesthetic and personal comfort. Go for it! Just remember you’re fitting the rifle to you, not making it shoot “better”.

Musket 16A4

A blend of utilitarian practicality and a modern technical upgrade base.

You don’t have to do anything to this rifle except clean, load, and zero it and you’re already far ahead of the curve on having a ready “musket”. It could be above the mantel or doorway, frontier style, with a nylon bag of magazines and you’re sitting in pretty good shape to repel invaders, rioters, looters, or any form of lethal doer-of-ill-deeds.

That said, because of what it is, the options for getting this gun ready are as limitless and affordable as you could wish. Nearly every weapon mountable light or mount and light combination was designed with this rifle in mind first. Every tactical optic is in the same track, it is for the M16 first and was adapted to other platforms. This rifle is the focal point of the market. If you want to spend the money, customize and make it yours, you just don’t need to. (I did though, I Geissele everything I can in the end)

The M16A4 is a dog that hunts, still, to this day and for many to follow. You’re missing something without one.

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